Casual Dining
We report on the business of casual dining, a key segment of the UK foodservice sector encompassing high-street restaurant brands, all-day dining concepts, and accessible, mid-market hospitality. This includes our coverage of openings, closures, financial results, menu innovation, tech integration, and leadership moves across the casual dining space. Whether you’re managing a national chain or operating a regional brand, we deliver timely insight into the pressures, pivots, and opportunities shaping this highly competitive market, with a focus on operational performance, consumer trends, and commercial sustainability.
-
Jul- 2025 -1 JulyRestaurants
Pizza Pilgrims FY revenues rise 20% to £34.4m
Pizza Pilgrims has reported a 20% rise in revenues to £34.4m for the financial year ending 30 June 2024, up from £28.7m the previous year. However, pre-tax profits fell to a loss of £0.1m, down from a profit of £0.7m in 2023, while EBITDA – excluding exceptional items – also…
Read More » -
Jun- 2025 -24 JuneFood and Drink
SSP signs 14-year F&B contract with Leeds Bradford Airport
SSP Group has signed a 14-year contract to expand and refresh food and beverage outlets at Leeds Bradford Airport, as part of the airport’s £100m terminal redevelopment. The new agreement will see SSP operate a wider range of brands in the airport’s extended main terminal, including its first AMT Coffee…
Read More » -
May- 2025 -16 MayRestaurants
Richard Caring in advanced talks to sell Ivy stake to Abu Dhabi royal
Richard Caring is reportedly in advanced talks to sell a substantial stake in his UK hospitality empire to an entity backed by the Abu Dhabi royal Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al-Nahyan, according to the Financial Times. People with knowledge of the matter told the FT that the discussions between Caring,…
Read More » -
Apr- 2025 -16 AprilFeatures
Is it time to rethink restrictions around outdoor dining spaces?
During the pandemic when hospitality businesses were struggling as a result of social distancing restrictions, outdoor dining was a saviour to many. Lots of businesses were able to put tables and chairs on pavements and in roads allowing them to make money when people could not mix inside. However, as…
Read More » -
Mar- 2025 -26 MarchNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief – 26/03/25
Trispan has brought together Pho, Rosa’s Thai and Mowgli under a holding group called Arcturus Group to become the UK’s largest multi-site casual dining operator in the Asian restaurant segment. Each brand will continue to operate independently, with existing CEOs Sarah Hills (Rosa’s Thai), Patrick Marrinan (Pho) and Nisha Katona…
Read More » -
26 MarchRestaurants
Rosa’s Thai, Pho and Mowgli brought together under Arcturus Group
Investment firm Trispan has brought together Pho, Rosa’s Thai and Mowgli under a new holding group called Arcturus Group. The company becomes the UK’s largest multi-site casual dining operator in the Asian restaurant segment. Each brand will continue to operate independently, with existing CEOs Sarah Hills (Rosa’s Thai), Patrick Marrinan…
Read More » -
17 MarchFeatures
Private equity in hospitality: a lifeline or a looming takeover?
French restaurant group Bistrot Pierre was the latest British chain to be acquired out of administration by a private equity firm, ensuring that 10 sites will continue to trade with exactly 394 jobs saved. Private equity investment in hospitality has become a growing force that offers a financial lifeline to…
Read More » -
6 MarchNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief – 06/03/25
Côte Brasserie has appointed Emma Dinnis as its new CEO. Dinnis joins the French brasserie chain following a tenure as managing director of Sofology, where she led the brand’s customer-first transformation. She brings experience in retail and hospitality, having held senior leadership roles at Topshop/Topman, M&Co, Ikea, and M&S. She…
Read More » -
6 MarchPeople
The Restaurant Group appoints new central operations director
The Restaurant Group has announced the appointment of Michele Bacon to the team as the new central operations director for the concessions and Barburrito division. Bacon has a wealth of hospitality experience and has worked in a variety of different roles within casual dining including Carluccios, Giraffe and Pizza Express. …
Read More » -
4 MarchFeatures
What’s behind increased hospitality churn?
In recent years the prevailing narrative in the hospitality industry has been that venues are closing at an alarming rate. Data from CGA revealed that 27,951 hospitality venues closed their doors between March 2020 and September 2024 at a rate of 119 per week. However, what gets lost in this…
Read More »
